Argyranthemum plant named ‘OHAR01241’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Argyranthemum  plant named ‘OHAR01241’, characterized by its single inflorescence form with cream white-colored ray florets and dark yellow-colored disc florets, freely branching character, medium green-colored foliage and compact upright growth habit.

Latin name of the genus and species of plant claimed: Argyranthemum×hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘OHAR01241’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant botanically known as Argyranthemum×hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘OHAR01241’.

The new Argyranthemum originated in a controlled breeding program in Winmalee, New South Wales, Australia during February 2001. The objectives of the breeding program were the development of Argyranthemum plants that are freely branching, have a compact upright growth habit are freely flowering And have unique flower coloration.

The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar was the Argyranthemum cultivar ‘Sunjay’ (not patented) characterized by its fully double inflorescence form, light yellow-colored ray florets, medium growth habit and green-colored foliage. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar was the Argyranthemum cultivar ‘Blanche’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,720) characterized by its white ray florets, yellow disc florets and gray green-colored foliage. Seed from the above stated cross-pollination was germinated and grown to maturity. One plant from within the progeny was discovered and selected by the inventor during October 2001, in a controlled environment at Winmalee, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since October 2001 at Winmalee, NSW, Australia and West Chicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type, with all the characteristics as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without, however, any variance in genotype.

It was repeatedly found that the cultivar of the present invention:

1. Exhibits a single inflorescence form with cream white-colored ray florets and dark yellow-colored disc florets,

2. Forms medium green-colored foliage,

3. Exhibits a freely branching character, and

4. Exhibits a compact upright growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parent primarily in flower color and flower form and from plants of the male parent primarily in flower color and foliage color.

Plants of the new cultivar are most similar to ‘Primrose Petite’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,722). However, in side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘Primrose Petite’ in the following characteristics:

Plants of the new cultivar have leaves of a different color than plants of ‘Primrose Petite’.

Plants of the new cultivar have ray florets of a different color than plants of ‘Primrose Petite’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description which more accurately describe the colors of the new cultivar. The plants were grown in 10 cm pots for 10 weeks in a greenhouse at West Chicago, Ill.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habit of the new cultivar.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual flower and leaf of the new cultivar.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 1995 edition, except where color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined on Sep. 25, 2003. The readings were taken between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. under natural light conditions. The plants were produced from cuttings taken from stock plants and were grown in a double polycarbonate covered greenhouse under conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in 10 cm pots utilizing a soilless growth medium. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained at approximately 65°-78° F. (18°-25° C.) during the day and approximately 50°-60° F. (10°-15° C.) during the night. Greenhouse light levels were maintained at 6,000 to 9,000 footcandles during the day. Plants used for the following descriptions and measurements were grown for 10 weeks from the planting of rooted cuttings.

Botanical classification: Argyranthemum×hybrida cultivar ‘OHAR01241’.

Parentage:

Female (seed) parent.—Argyranthemum cultivar ‘Sunjay’ (not patented).

Male (pollen) parent.—Argyranthemum cultivar ‘Blanche’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,720).

Propagation:

Type cutting.—Terminal stem.

Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 7 to 10 days.

Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 14 to 21 days.

Root description.—Fine, fibrous.

Rooting habit.—Freely branching.

Plant description:

Crop time.—Approximately 8 weeks in a 10 cm pot.

Habit of growth.—Compact. Freely branching. One or two pinches improves basal branching.

Form.—Upright, mounded.

Plant height.—A mature plant, 10 weeks after the planting of a rooted cutting, commonly measures approximately 35.3 cm from soil level to top of plant plane.

Plant width (area of spread).—Approximately 21 cm.

Branch description.—Quantity per plant: Approximately 6: Texture: Glabrous. Length from soil level to base of peduncle: Approximately 16.3 cm. Diameter: Approximately 3.6 mm. Internode length at middle of branch: Approximately 7 mm. Color: 138B.

Foliage description.—Leaves are non-fragrant, simple. Arrangement: Alternate. Quantity per branch: Approximately 15. Aspect: At an acute angle to the stem. Shape: Pinnatified. Margin: Entire. Apex: Acute. Base: Sessile, clasping. Appearance of upper and lower surfaces: Glaucous. Texture: Upper and lower surfaces are glabrous. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Length: Approximately 4.9 cm. Width: Approximately 2.3 cm. Color of mature foliage: Upper surface: 137A with venation of 137C. Lower surface: 137B with venation of 137C.

Flowering description:

Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.

Natural flowering season.—Year round in greenhouse environment and spring through autumn in outdoor garden.

Inflorescence description:

Appearance.—Solitary, composite. Persistent. Shape: Round. Aspect: Facing upward or outward. Disc and ray florets develop acropetally on a capitulum. Fragrance: None. Quantity of flowers and buds per branch: Approximately 2 flowers and 3 buds.

Size.—Diameter: Approximately 3.5 cm. Depth: Approximately 1 cm.

Lastingness of inflorescence.—Approximately 7-10 days.

Bud.—Shape: Round, flat. Diameter: Approximately 6 mm. Depth: Approximately 7 mm. Color: 165B.

Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 22. Aspect: Flat to slightly convex. Arrangement: Very slightly overlapping at base. Shape: Ligulate. Margin: Entire. Apex: Emarginate. Base: Attenuate and fused to form tube. Texture: Glabrous and ribbed. Length: Approximately 1.4 cm. Width: Approximately 4 mm.

Ray floret color.—Upper and lower surfaces: 4D. Tube texture: Pubescent.

Tube color is.—150B.

Disc.—Diameter: Approximately 1.4 cm. Depth: Approximately 9 mm.

Disc florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 186. Shape: Tubular with five lobes each having an acute apex. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Length: Approximately 4 mm. Diameter at apex: Approximately 2 mm. Diameter at base: Approximately 1 mm. Color: 6B. Calyx: Shape: Tubular. Length: Approximately 2 mm. Diameter: Approximately 1 mm. Color: Colorless, translucent.

Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 30. Arrangement: Imbricate, arranged in several rows. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous, papery at edges. Length: Approximately 5 mm. Width: Approximately 3 mm. Color of upper and lower surfaces: Closest to 141C.

Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Texture: Glabrous. Aspect: At an acute angle to the stem. Length: Approximately 12 cm. Diameter: Approximately 1.5 mm. Color: 137C.

Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Present on disc florets only. Stamens: 5 fused to form tube around pistil. Anther shape: Linear. Anther length: Less than 1 mm. Anther color: Amount of pollen: Moderate. Pollen color: 13A. Gynoecium: Present on ray and disc florets. There is one pistil per floret. Pistil length: 3 mm. Stigma shape: two parted. Stigma length: 1 mm. Stigma color: 177A. Style length: 2 mm. Style color: 145D. Ovary diameter: 1 mm. Ovary color: 144C.

Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has been observed.

Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to Argyranthemums has not been observed.

Hardiness zone: ‘OHAR01241’ is hardy in zones nine (9) and above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named ‘OHAR01241’ substantially as herein shown and described, which:
 1. Exhibits a single inflorescence form with cream white-colored ray florets and dark yellow-colored disc florets,
 2. Forms medium green-colored foliage,
 3. Exhibits a freely branching character, and
 4. Exhibits a compact upright growth habit. 